When I sailed on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I wasn't expecting a space meant to provide sweeping views to act as a de facto zen spot.
One change Royal Caribbean made with Icon of the Seas was not to offer a Solarium, which is the traditional adults-only enclave on other ships.
Instead, they went with the Hideaway neighborhood. This offers adults-only space, but with a pool party atmosphere.
It's clear some cruisers prefer to have a view of the ocean along with peace and quiet.
The more I've cruised on the world's largest cruise ship, the more I've realized an area within the Aquadome neighborhood has become the go-to spot for reading, napping, and enjoying a calming day.
The quietest spot is at the front of the ship
At the very front of the Aquadome neighborhood, which is effectively "behind" the Aquatheater", is arguably the quietest spot.
Known as the Overlook, it's an open seating area that faces the front of the ship.
Royal Caribbean describes it as "With two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, the ocean views from inside the awe-inspiring AquaDome are unmatched."
With all the light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, it's easily one of the most relaxing indoor spaces on the ship.
In fact, the pods are one of the most popular spots on the ship.
Ever since Icon debuted, word got out quickly that snagging a pod is perfect for reading, doing work, or just getting some privacy.
The pods are elevated and enclosed, which makes them semi-exclusive.
I've used them to do work, and it helps there are outlets within each one.
Even if you don't have a pod, there are all sorts of comfortable loungers and chairs that face the ocean.
Best yet, there's no music or party atmosphere here. And it's all indoors, so the air conditioning makes it always comfortable. The Hideaway is in direct sunlight with little to no shade.
The only time it gets loud is when there's an Aquatheater show being performed or rehearsed. However, going here in the morning is almost always guaranteed to be quiet.
It speaks to a need some cruisers have about having a quiet place with a view.
It's also become the de facto teen club at night
If you walk through the Overlook after dinner, I've noticed the teens come out in force to hang out here too.
Despite having their own club, teens on cruises seem to prefer to hang out on their own terms. This usually comes in the form of hanging out in stairwells.
In the case of Icon, I noticed the teens gravitated towards the Overlook at night because the area is pretty much empty.
Before you shake your fist angrily at "those young people", there's really nothing for adults to do here after dark. The bar shuts down and there's no entertainment. Without the teens, the Overlook empties out considerably.
The best coffee bar on the ship is nearby
If you're going to Pearl Cafe to get your coffee on Icon of the Seas, you're doing it wrong.
Adjacent to the Overlook is the Rye & Bean bar. It has its own espresso machine and can make most coffees you can get elsewhere.
But it's also where you can some fabulous coffee-based cocktails.
It transitions from coffee bar in the morning to cocktail bar at night, and with those views you have from the Overlook, it makes it so enjoyable to sit and watch as you sip.
Image created by PG Cruiser
Two cocktails to try here are the Coffee Boulevardier and the Hibiscus Tea Punch.
The tea is refreshing and flavorful, while the Boulevardier has a really bold taste that makes it not taste like every other cocktail.
The quiet spot to hide on other ships
If you're not sailing on an Icon Class ship, there are other refuges to discover.
The Solarium is usually fairly quiet on other ships, although it is a pool. So there can be loud conversations in the pool, hot tub, or bar.
Ships that have a Library or Card Room tend to be your best bet for a quiet escape, as they aren't nearly as rowdy as any pool would be.
My personal favorite for a quiet retreat is the outside promenade deck that faces the ocean.
It's usually on deck 4 or 5 of most ships, and it offers chairs that face the ocean.
I'll grab a chair in the shade, and prop my feet up on the stools they usually come with, and then prop my laptop up to do some work.
